Penticton was looking to add one more piece to their back-end this summer, and believe they have acquired the defenceman they were seeking. Amies’ statistics won’t jump off the paper when looking at his BCHL career (GP 101 3G 16A 19PTS), but that’s not why the team went ahead and acquired the rear guard.

“We are building a team that can place pressure on the puck in both ends of the rink and Nick is the type of player who can do just that.” Said Vees Head Coach Fred Harbinson. “He is a great skating D-man that can play in all situations; he is 100% healthy and is as excited to be a Vee as we are to have him.”

As alluded to in Coach Harbinson’s quote, Amies did miss the entire 2010-11 season due to injury. However, the 19 year-old has been given a clean bill of health and was training during his absence. In Nick’s case, I believe this prolonged absence might have been a blessing in disguise. Too many players, not just in hockey, rush back from injuries and experience complications. Nick took the time to let himself get 100 percent healthy and ready for the upcoming season.

When he was healthy, Amies was a force. Amies was a member of Team Canada West at the 2009 CJHL Prospects Game in Winkler, Manitoba. Later that season, the Enderby, BC native played his way to mid-season draft ranking of 135th among North American Skaters for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. If all indications are accurate, Amies is a smart, smooth skating defenseman, who can make a great first pass.